Chapter 2303 Sudden Change II
But the situation is different now. The accomplices who suppressed the uprising back then—the Indian maharajas have almost been wiped out by the British. And India already has its own political parties, which are organized, have a ruling platform, have a mass base, and even have the help of local soldiers. Has the ability and willingness to twist India into a single rope, and Britain is now unprecedentedly weak! Maybe a careless move will lead to the collapse of British colonial rule in India! In this case, the British are not afraid!
"If we propose adjournment to the Germans now, will it make the Germans worse?" Earl Belfort said with an ugly face.
"No, the Germans don't want to make the British Empire impoverished, because if they do, they may not get a share of the compensation. Moreover, if it really comes to this point, we can only choose to surrender to the United States, and Germany also Don't want to see that. So the Germans won't go too far, but in some details, they will oppress us," Prime Minister Asquith said.
"Now, I order, Earl Balfour, that you immediately contact the German side and ask them to delay the negotiation process. At the same time, tell the Germans that if Germany is willing to provide us with some convenience, then we can guarantee the gold and diamonds in South Africa." And the copper mines, non-ferrous metals, and local government treasuries in Rhodesia were transferred to the Germans little by little, and they can accept them now. The local government and personnel of the British Empire will definitely cooperate."
"Mr. Lloyd George, as soon as you return to the country, gather the remaining weapons and combatants, and go to India as soon as the Germans are willing to open the sea! Tell the generals who lead the team that the Indians want legislative rights, civil rights, and economic rights. Yes, but independence is absolutely not allowed! That's it!"
Asquith's ability is still there. He is clearly aware that this time the British will not be able to quell the independence movement without fighting a few games in India. Therefore, the most important thing now is to mobilize the army! Lloyd George's return to the country to collect the remaining British troops is just an emergency, but the real key is to let the Germans hold their hands high, release some British prisoners of war and return some weapons. Only when the Germans are willing to release hundreds of thousands of British troops, the British will have a chance Use your own strength to finally solve India's problems.
Of course, the price will be very high. If the British wanted to use ships to transfer the wealth of the colonies before the Germans acted, then now, I am afraid they will be honest. Some people may say that the Germans may not know how much wealth the British colonies have. So how could the Germans be sure if the British had transferred?
It can only be said that this kind of person is too pure and not suitable for the current political environment... The Germans have such a good opportunity, so naturally they want to blackmail the British severely! Even the Germans don't even need to know how many precious metal reserves there are in the British colonies, as long as they make up their own minds! For example, the Germans can estimate South Africa's gold production according to their own needs, and then tell the British how much you should take out! If it is not enough, then you must have secretly transferred it! I don't care what you do, you have to get it back for me! Even if you are forced to recruit from the people, you have to make up enough! That's right, this is extortion, and there are only interests between countries! Especially in the face of a defeated country! Of course, the quantity should not be too high, or the price should be exorbitant. After all, the basis of extortion is what the other party can bear!
So is there any other way to solve the Indian problem besides letting the Germans loosen their ties? There is a way, but the cost of that way will be ridiculously higher! Unless it is a last resort, the British will not do this!
"If there is nothing else, shall we prepare to act now?" Lloyd George said after thinking for a while.
As the British foreign minister, it is absolutely impossible for Earl Balfour to return to the UK. After all, although the two sides have adjourned, there will still be various contacts. With the foreign minister gone, there is not even a single person on the British side who is equal to Germany Yes, this will make the other party feel dissatisfied.
Prime Minister Asquith will not be able to leave for a while, because the negotiations with the Germans involve the delivery of the colonies. This issue will be very complicated, and some issues must be decided by the Prime Minister. Therefore, the only one who can go back immediately and prepare the first batch of troops to go to India is Lloyd George. He is in charge of military production and has a relationship with the generals of the army, so he can coordinate these things very well. Time was running out, and every minute wasted was a crime against the British Empire, so he decided to prepare to go back immediately. Return to England as soon as you get permission from the Germans.
"Wait a minute, if the Japanese ambassador makes some requests at this time, then no matter what, I will temporarily agree." Before Lloyd George left, Asquith hesitated for a long time and finally said.
"Are you planning to..." Earl Belfort said worriedly.
"I just hope they don't make trouble at this time." Prime Minister Asquith said with a sigh.
"It seems that the Anglo-Japanese alliance will continue?" Earl Balfour asked.
"That's right, at least for now. There are many things we can think of but can't do. Even if we have to do it, we have to leave it to future generations to do it. Doing well in the things in front of us, sometimes it's not a good thing to look too far away Good thing." Asquith closed his eyes after finishing speaking, and then made a gesture to dismiss the meeting.
The British know the news of the accident in India, so there is no reason for the Germans not to know.... So, when the British were thinking hard about how to put out the fire, the Germans began to think about how to take advantage of this matter! At least in the view of the Grand Duke of Baden and Albert and others, this opportunity must be used to cut off two pieces of meat from the British! So the two who didn't sleep at night came to the crown prince's residence excitedly, ready to discuss this matter!
"So, in the eyes of the two, we seem to have the advantage now, and we can propose as harsh conditions as possible to the British?" Ruprecht said after listening to the two narrations.
"Isn't it? We can even increase the compensation even higher! If the British can't control the whole of India, we can even help them." Albert said excitedly.
"What you said makes sense. We can indeed consider increasing the price now, but I want to remind everyone that there is not much room for us to obtain material benefits. If this matter can really bring us some If it is beneficial, then this is definitely on the political and strategic level, not just colonies or money. So, we have to wait and see!" said the crown prince.
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